Elk River, Prior Lake to meet for 3A softball title

The Elks won in a walk-off and a rout while the Lakers had a big day from a sophomore with little pitching experience.

June 7, 2013 at 3:57AM
Elk River 's Jayme Langbehn hopped to home plate as her team waited for her after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning during the state Class 3A semifinals in softball at Caswell Park in North Mankato Min., Thursday, June 6, 2013. Elk RIver won 9-3 over Forest Lake ] (KYNDELL HARKNESS/STAR TRIBUNE) kyndell.harkness@startribune.com
Elk River’s Jayme Langbehn hopped to home plate as teammates waited for her after her a three-run homer against Forest Lake in Thursday’s Class 3A semifinals. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NORTH MANKATO, MINN. – The Elk River softball team never cooled down after its walk-off victory in Thursday morning's Class 3A quarterfinals. The Elks quickly began scoring runs in the semifinals to set up a 9-3 victory over Forest Lake and spot in Friday's state championship game against Prior Lake.

"We stayed ecstatic the whole time and took it to them early," Elk River junior catcher Michaela Bruns said. "I felt like once they brought in the next pitcher they were down and we could take it to them after that."

The Elks (20-3) scored two runs in the first inning and forced Forest Lake pitcher Rachael Harrington out of the game with just one out recorded. The Rangers' regular starter, Michelle LaCasse, wasn't any more successful in relief. Elk River's Jayme Langbehn and Bruns both homered off LaCassse in a seven-run effort against the ace.

The Elks totaled 14 hits after collecting just five in 2-1 first-round victory over Orono in which they didn't score until the final half inning. Orono led 1-0 with three outs to play when Elk River's third hit of the game tied it 1-1. Kathi Opsahl's solo home run preceded a double by Langbehn and a game-winning infield hit by Courtney Jensen.

"Once it went over, it was a relief," Opsahl said. "We were a little worried, but kept fighting and it paid off."

Forest Lake (23-3) didn't have much trouble getting through the first round, defeating Farmington and All-Metro pitcher Ashley Betzold 3-1, but coach Angie Ryan wasn't happy with her team's offense. The Rangers had eight hits, a figure well below what the Rangers are used to, she said.

Betzold's talented arm had a lot to do with that. But Taylor Shortly, the one Forest Lake batter that figured Betzold out, said there was no reason adjustments shouldn't have been made. Shortly homered and had all three Rangers RBI in the victory.

The lack of hitting followed Forest Lake into the semifinals, although Shortly had two more hits.

Prior Lake in first final

Prior Lake (17-3) consistently threatened and produced enough timely hitting to advance. The Lakers defeated Maple Grove 5-3 in the semifinals to earn the program's first berth in a state final.

Guiding them there was sophomore pitcher Dee Wibbens with a complete-game effort. Wibbens pitched only 10 innings this season, but the Lakers coaching staff took a chance on her and her newfound confidence. Wibbens was also the winning pitcher in the section semifinals.

"I didn't know until 45 minutes before the game [I was starting]. I had to mentally prepare myself and tell myself I could do it," said Wibbens, who started the year on junior varsity.

Sydney Smith lost for the first time this season with the defeat for Maple Grove (22-2). She struggled to find a consistent strike zone and Prior Lake's big hitters, Justus Perry and Kara Lattery, took advantage of scoring opportunities.

Perry also played a big role in a quarterfinal extra-inning victory against defending champion Stillwater. After intentionally walking Perry twice, Stillwater pitcher Hannah Heacox challenged her with two outs and Perry hit a two-run double to give the Lakers a 3-1 advantage.

Prior Lakes'Dee Wibbens pitched in the second inning during the state Class 3A semifinals in softball at Caswell Park in North Mankato Min., Thursday, June 6, 2013. Prior Lake Won over Maple Grove 5-3. ] (KYNDELL HARKNESS/STAR TRIBUNE) kyndell.harkness@startribune.com
Prior Lake sophomore Dee Wibbens won both games Thursday despite only learning she would start 45 minutes before the quarterfinals. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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